ICANN approves .xxx domain

Starr Keshet, 18th March 2011

ICANN has finally approved the creation of an .xxx domain suffix in an 8-to-3 vote, with four members abstaining. Bertrand de la Chapelle, a French member of the board, confirmed he had voted for .xxx.

"This game can go on forever. Is the board's job to keep the game going or to solve the question?"

Katim Touray, aboard member from Gambia, voted against .xxx and disagreed with Chapelle's perception of ICANN - claiming that "many governments" were "waking up" to what ICANN is doing.

According to Touray, certain governments are demanding increased international control over the Internet and want ICANN gone, with some insisting the United Nations should be granted authority over domain names.

Steve DelBianco, vice chairman on policy coordination of ICANN's Business Constituency and the executive director of NetChoice, expressed similar sentiments.

"This board insists on getting closure... If this board ignores government concerns, we'll get closure all right. Governments may bring closure to the multistakeholder experiment known as ICANN."

However, ICM, which has been tasked with managing .xxx, termed the decision a "landmark moment" for the Internet.

"For the first time there will be a clearly defined web address for adult entertainment, out of the reach of minors and as free as possible from fraud or malicious computer viruses," explained ICM chief Stuart Lawley.

"We believe consumers will be more prepared to make purchases on .XXX sites, safe in the knowledge their payments will be secure. Tens of thousands of adult entertainment website owners recognize the business benefits of .XXX and have already applied to pre-reserve over 200,000 .XXX domains."